Trips to the library make me giddy. They always have. Walking on warm spring days to the library with my mom—library bag in tow. The smell of the old cards in the Dewey decimal system. Row upon row of book spines just waiting to be cracked open.

I don’t think we ever left with less than ten new books.

As I got older the walks with my mom would be supplemented by rides with friends on our bikes—library bag still in tow. Kids books replaced by teen novels and books by Stephan King and Edgar Allen Poe. When G-tot came along the library bag once again found itself stuffed full of kids books (along with DVDs and CDs).

Then, a couple of years ago, I realized that I wasn’t reading for ME nearly as much as I used to. Now don’t get me wrong, I was still reading a lot. But instead of novels just for pleasure it was primarily children’s books and books on design theory and technical manuals. Not exactly the kind of page-turning stuff this 30-something was dying to read.

So I set a goal. Read 10 books in 2008 just for me. It renewed my passion for reading. In 2009 I upped the goal to 15 books. And in 2010 I set my goal to read 20 books just for me. I hit that goal in the middle of December.

This is what I read last year.

Restaurant at the End of the Universe—Douglas Adams

Life, the Universe, and Everything—Douglas Adams

Eat, Pray, Love—Elizabeth Gilbert

A Rather Charming Invitation—C.A. Belmond

Bright Lights, Big Ass—Jen Lancaster

Moose (A Fat Camp Memoir)—Stephenie Klein

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies—Seth Graham

A Bad Day for Pretty—Sophie Littlefield

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner—Stephenie Meyer

The Hunger Games—Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire—Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay—Suzanne Collins

The Alchemyst—Michael Scott

The Magician—Michael Scott

Gods Behaving Badly—Marie Phillips

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish—Douglas Adams

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter—Seth Graham

The Sorceress—Michael Scott

The Necromancer—Michael Scott

Committed—Elizabeth Gilbert

Some were great, some were just okay, and a few were OH MY GOD GET ME THROUGH THIS NOW! My absolute favorites from last year were The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I hated Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but really enjoyed Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter—both written by Seth Graham. Committed was one of those books I could have done without but by the time I realized it was just, eh, I was (ironically) already committed to finishing it.

My goal for this year is 25 books. I’ve already read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire (both by Steig Larsson) and The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I’m currently reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (also by Steig Larsson). I think I’m well on my way to hitting my 2011 goal.

How about you? Do you like to read just for pleasure? What are some of the best things you’ve read recently? And are you on Good Reads? If so, have we connected yet?

Earlier this week we went to a corn maze. It was a first time experience for all 3 of us and it was super fun. We went in the late afternoon and were pretty much alone in the maze—which may have made it a little more difficult to navigate. But we made it through and then played in the giant tractor tires full of dried corn until we had to drag G-tot out to head home. Man I love the Fall.

I realized recently that I haven’t really talked about my 101 in 1001 list in quite awhile. I mentioned it once briefly in April and once again in July but the last time I showed my progress on the list was back in January! I feel like I’ve been slacking on getting things done and crossed off the list. I blame a lot of that on my mental, emotional, and financial state over the last 9 months. Things have been tough at times and I just haven’t been that focused on finishing up the list.

It’s the home stretch now.

I have just four more months to complete the last 37 items.

135 more days.

This is what I have left to do. I’m not sure I will finish them all but I’m going to try.

Which is really fucking early when bedtime doesn’t come until just 4 hours earlier. A wake-up call made worse by the fact that I tossed and turned during those measly 4 hours. But I had a train to catch and I was not going to miss it.

I had never been on a train before. Well, other than the one at the zoo and that hardly counts. I mean come on, I can walk faster than that train and it only really goes in a circle. That would hardly meet Amtrak’s standards.

The train I was getting on was the late train of the day. Set to leave at 6:15 a.m. I was excited about the new experience, nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, and absolutely hating the fact that I had to be up so early for the ride. But that’s as late as they run. So after a shower, half a blueberry Eggo, and not nearly enough coffee we left for the station.

Not much is going on at the Amtrak station at 5:45 a.m. in Toledo, Ohio. Everyone is noticeably tired and nobody says much of anything. We got our tickets from the ticket counter, found a place on one of the leather benches, and waited for our train to arrive. G-tot and I were heading to Union Station in Chicago where we would be picked up to spend the weekend with my mom and step-dad. I was driving back home at the end of our trip so along with our bags I had to bring a car seat. Which, it turns out, is a giant pain in the ass.

In an effort to keep minors with their guardians, families with kids under 15 got to board the train first. G-tot and I were at the front of that line. Let me paint you a little picture.

Me.
G-tot.
One small piece of carry-on luggage.
One backpack.
One laptop bag.
One purse.
One car seat.

Very early in the morning (which is not known to be my most pleasant time of day).

And you know what the first thing the assistant conductor said to me when she took our tickets as we were getting ready to board the train? Not “Good morning”. Not “Welcome aboard.” No, instead she said in a accusatory voice, “Why didn’t you check any bags?”

Blink. Blink. I have not had enough coffee for this.

“Umm…I don’t know. I’ve never been on a train before.”

“That wasn’t very smart.”

What? Well screw you too lady. Way to be helpful. And you can kiss my ass as I drag my crap—that is within the range of number of acceptable items—onto the train.

She managed to piss me off and we hadn’t even stepped onto the train yet. Add to that the 2 extra hours the trip took to get to Chicago and I was so ready to get off that train by the time we arrived. Especially after sitting just outside the station for a good 20 minutes. So close but yet so very far away. I’m crossing it off my list and making no plans to board another one any time soon.

This morning was the kind of morning that would normally keep me on the couch, bra-less, coffee in hand with the buzz of cartoons in the back of my head. It was foggy. It was cold. And the forecast called for heavy rain.

Who puts a bra on for days like that?

But today wasn’t just any day. Today was the March for Babies walk for the NW Ohio Division of March of Dimes.

Now, I don’t know Heather or Mike but that doesn’t matter. When I heard about them losing their sweet Maddie last year my heart broke for them. Their story touched me as it had so many others. So when Brittany asked me this year to be a part of the Marching for Madeline team she set up I knew right away it was something I wanted to do.

I have not walked/biked/ran in an event for charity in a very long time. The last thing that really sticks out in my head was over 20 years ago. An event that took place at the same location as the kickoff for today’s walk, where I raised enough money riding my bike around a track for a few hours for some charitable cause to earn the top incentive prize. A boy’s 10-speed bike.

Am I the only one who finds that prize to be a bit ironic?

*crickets*

Anyway…

Participating in a walk for charity is actually the first item listed on my 101 in 1001 list of things to do. With today’s March for Maddie I can mark that one as complete. I can’t think of a better reason to get to cross it off my list.

It was chilly but the 3 mile walk through Maumee was nice. JQ and G-tot joined me on the walk. And the rain stayed away just until we got back to the starting point. And then it started pouring.

Still is.

Many, many thanks go out to all of those friends and family online and offline that made a donation and supported my walk. Together you helped me raise $370 for the March of Dimes.

It has been 626 days since I started and so far I have completed 55 of those 101 items. That leaves just 46 to do.

Forty-six over the next 375 days. I can do that, right?

Here’s a look at my list. The stuff in bold is what I have left to do. Well, except the start/end dates and category names which are also in bold. But I made those a different color to keep from confusing you and shit. Everything else on the list has been completed and marked with the date I finished and any relevant details.

For Others1. Participate in a walk for charity2. Volunteer for a least one hour somewhere
3. Donate to a worthy cause (12.03.09–Sparrow’s Nest)
4. Write a letter to someone (4.19.2009)5. Send a “just because” package to a friend
6. Send a “just because” package to a blogger buddy (5.13.08)
7. Give $5 to a stranger in need (4.10.09—Spohr family)

Health & Nutrition1. Get back to goal weight
2. Exercise (cardio) 3 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)
3. Do Strength Training 2 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)
4. Do Yoga 3 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)5. Eat whole foods (nothing processed) for 3 days in one week
6. Buy bikes (again) and go on a long ride (6.07.08 rode to Penguin Palace & back—approx. 7 miles)7. Do 10 “regular-style” push-ups
8. Eat breakfast (by 10 am) everyday for one week (7.18.08)
9. Do not eat after 10:30 pm for one week (7.18.08)

Family Time
1. Take G-tot to Butterfly House 8.05.08)2. Take G-tot camping (just the 3 of us)
3. Travel overnight with G-tot (3.5.09–3.8.09—Rockford/Chicago)4. Go to a corn maze
5. Take a hayride (9.26.08)
6. Take G-tot to Storytime at the library (9.18.08)
7. Take G-tot to the Art Museum (7.31.09)
8. Have a picnic with JQ & G-tot (7.11.08)
9. Become Zoo Members (4.27.08)
10. Take G-tot to an outdoor music event (7.11.08)11. Get a family portrait taken
12. Take G-tot to the pool/beach (6.12.08)

Domestic Life
1. Remodel bathroom (11.26.08)
2. Repaint the living room (7.24.08)3. Create prints for the bedroom4. Tile the back steps5. Compile an emergency kit for home6. Organize the office7. Put up cabinets in office
8. Sell or donate unwanted items in basement (12.29.08)
9. Get all items from Gam’s that belong to us (7.26.08)

Enriching our Lives1. Canoe2. Take a train ride3. Visit an arboretum (preferably w/ Japanese gardens)4. Go to planetarium
5. Meditate on regular basis (2-3 times per week for one month)6. Learn to play Chess
7. Play Risk with JQ (12.25.08)8. Go on a guided tour (park, museum, etc.)9. Attend two Summer/Fall Festivals (Blackswamp, Crosby Gardens, Apple Butter, etc.)10. Take at least one class towards my Master’s Degree11. Take a dance class12. Attend a religious service
13. Go to a book/poetry reading (Artomatic 4.18.09)
14. Go to an open mic event at a cafe/coffee shop (8:15s @ Manhattan’s 7.20.09)
15. Attend a play put on by a local theatre group (The Full Monty @ Toledo Rep 7.24.09)16. Learn to play a kid’s tune on the guitar

This morning I got to cross another item off of my 101 in 1001 list. This was one of those goals that couldn’t be done in an instant and actually took me 11 months to complete. It was also a goal that I couldn’t start until January of this year—read 15 books in 2009. Now, I always feel like I need a disclaimer after I tell somebody about that goal. One that specifically spells out the fact that I’m not a moron and I do read more than 15 books in a given year. I actually read quite a bit but it is usually academic books, books related to design theory and art, children’s books—tons of these, magazines, etc. I realized a couple of years ago that I wasn’t really reading anything just for pleasure. Well, maybe the kid’s books but that is a completely different. Nothing just for me. So I made it a goal when I wrote the list to read 10 books in 2008 and 15 books in 2009 just for pleasure. No ulterior motive than to just enjoy a book.

I hit the 2008 goal in August of last year and this morning I hit the 2009 goal. I’m considering exchanging an unfinished item on my list with a new goal—read 20 books in 2010. Either way, setting those two goals have me back on the path to enjoying all the great—and not so great—literature out there. Plus, there is just something special about reading an actual book. Not listening to one—which is also great—or reading one on an electronic device, but an actual book. The crisp pages, the black ink set in a specific font, the cover art, the smell of the pages that instantly declare whether the book is new or old. I love it.

So here is what I read this year to hit my goal. Some were better than others with #13 and #14 being the worst. In any other situation I would have given up on #14 but I got to a certain point and I was committed. I could not give up. But the payoff? Not worth it. Oh well. I do find it interesting that entirely by accident I started and ended with a books written by David Sedaris. I guess I like his writing, #15 was a quick 2 day read after two painstaking weeks of reading a poorly typeset 250+ page crap heap that might have been a good story had it been only 20 pages.

This summer has been great for getting things completed on my 101 things in 1001 days list. I’ve managed to accomplish 7 goals since June (and several others since my last update) with a few of the goals requiring an entire month of commitment before I could cross them off. My experiences have been really great. JQ’s band, The Eight Fifteens, was part of an open mic event that helped me cross that goal off my list. I saw The Full Monty for my performance put on by a local theater group. Not only was it hilarious, but one of my recent graduates had a role in it so I felt like I was supporting multiple good things. And having my work exhibited in a gallery again? Well you know how I feelaboutthat.

I still keep a list taped to the kitchen cabinets that I date and mark off items with a yellow highlighter as I complete them. I love seeing all that yellow.

The list is updated below with all completed items marked in bold with the date completed and any details I felt necessary. Items completed since my last update are in red. The blip preceding the list was written back when I originally wrote the list. There is also a link to a post that explains in more detail why I’m doing it.

The main reason? To become a better, more fulfilled person. The list took quite awhile to put together. I wanted all of my items to be something I could accomplish but nothing too easy. Some will be cake compared to others if I just do them. As I complete each item I’ll be referring back to this master list to check them off. Because I’m Obsessive-Compulsive I’ve arranged my list items into categories. I did this not only for the orderliness of it, but also to make sure that I didn’t have any one area too heavy with to-dos. I fell a bit short in the “meet new people” section. I guess I need to work on that next time.

There are all sorts of reasons that these items are on my list. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. Wonder why I put something on my list? Just ask. See something on there you’ve always wanted to do? Let me know in the comments. Think I’m crazy? Well, that’s a given.

For Others
1. Participate in a walk for charity
2. Volunteer for a least one hour somewhere 3. Donate to a worthy cause (12.03.09–Sparrow’s Nest) 4. Write a letter to someone (4.19.2009)
5. Send a “just because” package to a friend6. Send a “just because” package to a blogger buddy (5.13.08) 7. Give $5 to a stranger in need (4.10.09—Spohr family)Health & Nutrition
1. Get back to goal weight2. Exercise (cardio) 3 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)
3. Do Strength Training 2 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)
4. Do Yoga 3 days a week for one month (6.5.09–7.5.09)
5. Eat whole foods (nothing processed) for one week6. Buy bikes (again) and go on a long ride (6.07.08 rode to Penguin Palace & back—approx. 7 miles)
7. Shoot my bow
8. Do 10 “regular-style” pushups9. Eat breakfast (by 10 am) everyday for one week (7.18.08)
10. Do not eat after 10:30 pm for one week (7.18.08)

Family Time1. Take G-tot to Butterfly House 8.05.08)
2. Take G-tot camping (just the 3 of us) 3. Travel overnight with G-tot (3.5.09–3.8.09—Rockford/Chicago)
4. Go to a corn maze5. Take a hayride (9.26.08)
6. Take G-tot to Storytime at the library (9.18.08)7. Take G-tot to the Art Museum (7.31.09)8. Have a picnic with JQ & G-tot (7.11.08)
9. Become Zoo Members (4.27.08)
10. Take G-tot to an outdoor music event (7.11.08)
11. Get a family portrait taken12. Take G-tot to the pool/beach (6.12.08)

Domestic Life1. Remodel bathroom (11.26.08)
2. Repaint the living room (7.24.08)
3. Create prints for the bedroom
4. Tile the back steps
5. Compile an emergency kit for home
6. Organize the office
7. Put up cabinets in office8. Sell or donate unwanted items in basement (12.29.08)
9. Get all items from Gam’s that belong to us (7.26.08)

Enriching our Lives
1. Canoe
2. Take a train ride
3. Visit an aboretum (preferably w/ japanese gardens)
4. Go to planetarium
5. Meditate on regular basis (2-3 times per week for one month)
6. Learn to play Chess 7. Play Risk with JQ (12.25.08)
8. Go on a guided tour (park, museum, etc.)
9. Attend two Summer/Fall Festivals (Blackswamp, Crosby Gardens, Apple Butter, etc.)
10. Take at least one class towards my Master’s Degree
11. Take a dance class
12. Attend a religious service13. Go to a book/poetry reading (Artomatic 4.18.09)
14. Go to an open mic event at a cafe/coffeeshop (8:15s @ Manhattan’s 7.20.09)
15. Attend a play put on by a local theatre group (The Full Monty @ Toledo Rep 7.24.09)
16. Learn to play a kid’s tune on the guitar

On Sunday I will hit the one year mark of the day I started my 101 in 1001 list. It has been fun, challenging, and amazingly rewarding. I know that if I hadn’t made this list there are many things I would not have done. I’ve also discovered a nice side effect of the list—caring more about myself and my future. It’s been an great journey and I look forward to marking each one the the remaining items off the list. The list is updated below with all completed items marked in red with the date completed and any details I felt necessary.

The main reason? To become a better, more fulfilled person. The list took quite awhile to put together. I wanted all of my items to be something I could accomplish but nothing too easy. Some will be cake compared to others if I just do them. As I complete each item I’ll be referring back to this master list to check them off. Because I’m Obsessive-Compulsive I’ve arranged my list items into categories. I did this not only for the orderliness of it, but also to make sure that I didn’t have any one area too heavy with to-dos. I fell a bit short in the “meet new people” section. I guess I need to work on that next time.

There are all sorts of reasons that these items are on my list. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. Wonder why I put something on my list? Just ask. See something on there you’ve always wanted to do? Let me know in the comments. Think I’m crazy? Well, that’s a given.

For Others
1. Participate in a walk for charity
2. Volunteer for a least one hour somewhere 3. Donate to a worthy cause (12.03.09–Sparrow’s Nest)
4. Write a letter to someone
5. Send a “just because” package to a friend6. Send a “just because” package to a blogger buddy (5.13.08) 7. Give $5 to a stranger in need (4.10.09—Spohr family)Health & Nutrition
1. Get back to goal weight
2. Exercise (cardio) 3 days a week for one month
3. Do Strength Training 2 days a week for one month
4. Do Yoga 3 days a week for one month
5. Eat whole foods (nothing processed) for one week6. Buy bikes (again) and go on a long ride (6.07.08 rode to Penguin Palace & back—approx. 7 miles)
7. Shoot my bow
8. Do 10 “regular-style” pushups9. Eat breakfast (by 10 am) everyday for one week (7.18.08)
10. Do not eat after 10:30 pm for one week (7.18.08)

Family Time1. Take G-tot to Butterfly House 8.05.08)
2. Take G-tot camping (just the 3 of us) 3. Travel overnight with G-tot (3.5.09–3.8.09—Rockford/Chicago)
4. Go to a corn maze5. Take a hayride (9.26.08)
6. Take G-tot to Storytime at the library (9.18.08)
7. Take G-tot to the Art Museum8. Have a picnic with JQ & G-tot (7.11.08)
9. Become Zoo Members (4.27.08)
10. Take G-tot to an outdoor music event (7.11.08)
11. Get a family portrait taken12. Take G-tot to the pool/beach (6.12.08)

Domestic Life1. Remodel bathroom (11.26.08)2. Repaint the living room (7.24.08)
3. Create prints for the bedroom
4. Tile the back steps
5. Compile an emergency kit for home
6. Organize the office
7. Put up cabinets in office 8. Sell or donate unwanted items in basement (12.29.08)9. Get all items from Gam’s that belong to us (7.26.08)

Enriching our Lives
1. Canoe
2. Take a train ride
3. Visit an aboretum (preferably w/ japanese gardens)
4. Go to planetarium
5. Meditate on regular basis (2-3 times per week for one month)
6. Learn to play Chess 7. Play Risk with JQ (12.25.08)
8. Go on a guided tour (park, museum, etc.)
9. Attend two Summer/Fall Festivals (Blackswamp, Crosby Gardens, Apple Butter, etc.)
10. Take at least one class towards my Master’s Degree
11. Take a dance class
12. Attend a religious service
13. Go to a book/poetry reading
14. Go to an open mic event at a cafe/coffeeshop
15. Attend a play put on by a local theatre group
16. Learn to play a kid’s tune on the guitar